CMS Launches Nursing Home Staffing Campaign
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the highly anticipated Nursing Home Staffing Campaign with two new webpages on December 16. The program, which will be implemented in phases, is aimed at increasing the number of nurses in nursing homes and state survey agencies to ultimately improve nursing home quality of care. At this time, the campaign focuses on making nurse aide training programs more easily accessible and highlighting the many career opportunities that exist within nursing homes. In the future, the program will also include financial incentives for registered nurses working in nursing homes. Check out more info about the campaign here and explore nursing home careers here.
KFF Releases a Quick Guide Compendium of Potential Trump Administrative Policy Reforms
KFF outlined a number of possible targets for administrative health policy reforms with the incoming Trump Administration. These include changes to possible rules that have been recently finalized like the Medicaid Access Rule, The Nursing Home Staffing Mandate, and the Streamlining Eligibility and Enrollment Rule. LeadingAge is supportive of elimination of the staffing rule, and portions of the Medicaid Access rule, though is cautiously supportive of the other components and rules finalized in the Medicaid policy space this year.
LeadingAge has concerns about how states will juggle both administrative burden and costs, particularly if there are structural changes to Medicaid financing. Many of the options outlined would have nominal or no effect on members, though they could change how employees access healthcare. The guide doesn’t assess any future impacts but rather provides a brief annotation of possible changes. Review the guide here.
The Senate Passes the Older Americans Act Reauthorization (OAA)
On December 10, the Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024(S.4776), a critical piece of legislation that strengthens and modernizes services for older adults through 2029. OAA, sponsored by Sen. Sanders (I-VT), includes provisions to enhance access to nutrition programs, caregiver support, elder justice initiatives, and other essential services that promote the well-being and independence of older adults. The bill now advances to the House of Representatives for consideration. LeadingAge influenced the reauthorization by responding to Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) committee request for information, participated in key meetings with Senate staffers, and worked with advocacy groups to shape and advance the OAA reauthorization and will be working to ensure House passage.
